Susan Varnot

Susan Varnot is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Global Arts, Media and Writing Studies at the University of California, Merced, within the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.

Her educational background includes:

• MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics from Arizona State University
• BA in English from Skidmore College

Susan Varnot's research and teaching focus primarily on creative writing and poetry & poetics. Her scholarly interests span interdisciplinarity and creativity studies, examining the complex relationships between memory, language, and identity. She investigates the function and reliability of narrative in both internal and external contexts, exploring how stories shape individual and collective experiences. A committed educator, Professor Varnot emphasizes collaborative, antiracist, and empowering pedagogy and praxis in her teaching approach, working to create inclusive learning environments that foster student growth and critical thinking. Her work bridges creative practice with theoretical inquiry in the fields of writing studies and literary arts, contributing to contemporary discussions about narrative reliability and identity formation.